RFID Transponder Nested in Garment Label
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional care labels and hang tags on garments are limited in size and information capacity, making it difficult to include tracking information, language translations, and loss prevention features without increasing their size.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an RFID transponder or other embedded trigger technologies like QR codes and barcodes into sewn-in labels, allowing for data connection and unique identifiers that enable access to a data management platform for tracking, authentication, and consumer engagement, while maintaining label size and aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If RFID transponder is incorporated into sewn-in label, then information capacity and tracking capability are improved, but label complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID transponder is nested within the sewn-in label structure, with the antenna integrated into the label fabric layers. This nesting approach allows the label to maintain its traditional external appearance and size while embedding functional electronic components inside, effectively hiding complexity within a simple external form.
Solution Approach 2:
The sewn-in label with integrated RFID transponder serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides traditional care instructions and brand information, enables RFID tracking and authentication, and offers loss prevention capabilities. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate components into a single integrated label.
2Reliability
If RFID transponder is incorporated into sewn-in label, then tracking and loss prevention capabilities are improved, but manufacturing cost and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process merges traditional label production with RFID transponder integration in a single step. The transponder is supplied in a carrier film that aligns with the label printing process, allowing both the label material and RFID components to be applied simultaneously to the garment, eliminating separate attachment steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID transponder is pre-mounted on a carrier film before being transferred to the label position on the garment. This preliminary positioning ensures accurate placement and simplifies the final attachment process, as the entire assembly (label + RFID) is applied in one operation rather than requiring separate mounting steps.
3Area of stationary object
If traditional hang tag is used, then label size is kept small, but information capacity and tracking capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The solution transitions from two-dimensional printed information on a traditional hang tag to a three-dimensional integrated system where the RFID transponder provides data storage and communication capabilities in a new dimension. This allows the label to maintain its small physical size while accessing extensive information through the RFID database.
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID transponder acts as an intermediary between the small physical label and the extensive information database. When scanned, the transponder provides a unique identifier that retrieves detailed tracking, authentication, and product information from a remote database, effectively using the RFID system as a bridge between the compact label and information-rich database.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient tracking, loss prevention, and enhanced consumer experience through data management and authentication, while providing global compliance and brand protection without increasing label size, and supports anti-counterfeit measures and inventory accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
Radio-frequency identification ('RFID') is the use of electromagnetic energy ('EM energy') to stimulate a responsive device (known as an RFID 'tag' or transponder) to identify itself and in some cases, provide additionally stored data
Data Source
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AI summary
A tag or label incorporating embedded trigger technology, such as RFID, QR codes, or barcodes is disclosed to effectively integrate RFID or a trigger directly into the garment. Typically, the embedded technology is embedded via a digital manufacturing process, and the labels and tags enable a data connection via the embedded triggers and a unique identifier corresponding to the embedded triggers. Thus, once the trigger technology is enabled via scanning, visual recognition, UHF/NFC RFID, etc., data items in the data management platform are enabled. Specifically, the data items within the data management platform include sustainability, consumer engagement, authentication/brand protection, merchandising/marketing, and data management and can be leveraged to drive an interactive consumer experience.